ATAT1-enriched vesicles promote microtubule acetylation via axonal transport

Sci Adv. 2019 Dec 18;5(12):eaax2705. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aax2705. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Microtubules are polymerized dimers of α- and β-tubulin that underlie a broad range of cellular activities. Acetylation of α-tubulin by the acetyltransferase ATAT1 modulates microtubule dynamics and functions in neurons. However, it remains unclear how this enzyme acetylates microtubules over long distances in axons. Here, we show that loss of ATAT1 impairs axonal transport in neurons in vivo, and cell-free motility assays confirm a requirement of α-tubulin acetylation for proper bidirectional vesicular transport. Moreover, we demonstrate that the main cellular pool of ATAT1 is transported at the cytosolic side of neuronal vesicles that are moving along axons. Together, our data suggest that axonal transport of ATAT1-enriched vesicles is the predominant driver of α-tubulin acetylation in axons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Acetyltransferases / genetics
  • Acetyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Axonal Transport / physiology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Larva / physiology
  • Locomotion
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microtubule Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Microtubule Proteins
  • Tubulin
  • Acetyltransferases
  • ATAT1 protein, human
  • ATAT1 protein, mouse